Rashford dropped: Ten Hag makes unexpected starting 11 changes in confirmed team news vs Chelsea

8 months ago 51

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Ten Hag makes unexpected starting 11 changes in confirmed team news vs Chelsea

Manchester United are gearing up for a must-win Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge tonight. Kick-off is at 8.15pm.

The Reds must depart West London this evening with all three points in the bag. Anything else, and they can kiss goodbye to any remaining prospect of Champions League football.

Results so far this week went slightly in their favour, given that both Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa dropped points in their respective fixtures. However, that only matters if United can get the job done against Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues.

It’s a starting 11 which has taken supporters by surprise, as Marcus Rashford has dropped to the bench in favour of Antony. The Englishman’s record against Chelsea – six goals and three assists in 18 meetings – is remarkable, so omitting him from the line-up for someone as unreliable as Antony poses a risky move from Erik ten Hag.

Elsewhere, Mason Mount will have to wait to make his official return to his former home for the first time since he ended his 18-year association with the club last July, with him also beginning the clash on the bench.

Ten Hag revealed yesterday that the London outfit were keen to keep hold of their academy graduate, but Mount had already set his sights on Old Trafford. He, perhaps more than any other outfield player, will be chasing a goal tonight.

Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane partner each other once again while filling in for absent duo Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof.